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Virginia Aquarium major exhibits in need of urgent upgrades, assessment shows
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – The one of the state's biggest attractions, is in urgent need of upgrades, according to a recent assessment presented to the Virginia Beach City Council.
That assessment determined the useful life of major exhibits at the Virginia Aquarium, including the Seal Tank, Turtle Tank and Shark Tank. These three exhibits are 30 years old. It was determined these exhibits have reached their life expectancy, necessitating immediate repairs to extend their usability.
The assessment revealed that approximately $10 million in repairs could extend the life of the aquarium's exhibits by 8 to 10 years. This funding would be jointly provided by the city and the
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is a collaboration between the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. The City of Virginia Beach owns and maintains the Aquarium's buildings and grounds. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium's collections, including its fish and animals.
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In addition to the temporary fixes, a long-term solution involves constructing a new building, which could take up to seven years to complete. The report stresses the urgency of securing funding for the immediate repairs to ensure the exhibits remain operational during this period.
There were three separate studies conducted.
The interior infrastructure study was facilitated by the Virginia Aquarium Foundation and focused on the conditions of the Seal, Shark and Turtle habitats.
An exterior infrastructure study led by Moseley Architects with Thorton Tomasetti as sub-consultants. It focused on the exterior condition.
An operating model study conducted by consultant Canopy Strategic Partners examined potential operating models, including the amount of funding needed.
The results of the first two studies are what were presented during the June 24 meeting. The results of the third study are expected by year end.
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The Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – Special Formal Session was held on June 24, 2025. You can view the meeting in its entirety on YouTube.
The Virginia Aquarium is the third most visited attraction in the Commonwealth, according to the Foundation. The need for upgrades highlights the importance of timely investment to preserve one of Virginia's key attractions.
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